Manufacture of ornamental chain



Jan. 9, 1945.- A. J. ENGLAND I MANUFACTURE OF- ORNAMENTAL CHAIN Filed Sept. 26, 1941 a Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR BY M ATTORNEY a Sheets-Sheet 2 6 my mm mm INVENTOR A. J. ENGLAND MANUFACTURE OF ORNAMENTAL CHAIN Filed Sept. 26, 1941 Jan. 9, 1945.

BY 2 AITORNEY Filed Sept. 26, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 9, 1945. ENGLAND 2,366,960,

MANUFACTURE OF ORNAMENTAL CHAIN Filed Sept. 26', 1941 s Sheets-Sheet 4 I I i mvgmon r? BY .J'V

ATTORNEY Jan. 9, 1945. A. J. ENGLAND MANUFACTURE OF ORNAMENTAL CHAIN Filed Sept. 26, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 J m A a w I m %u%@/ 64k A. J. ENGLAND 6 MANUFACTURE OF ORNAMENTAL CHAIN Filed Sept. 26, 1941 Jan. 9, 1945.

8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Jan. 9, 1945. A. J. ENGLAND 2,356,960 MANUFACTURE OF ORNAMENTAL CHAIN Filed Sept. 26, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 mum...

INVENiO 2 v ATTORNEY Jan. 9, 1945.

A. J. ENGLAND MANUFACTURE OF ORNAMENTAL CHAIN 8 Shee ts-Sheet 8 Filed Sept. 26, 1941 England Manui'acturin Rhode Island Application September 26, 1941, Serial No. 412,448

, 7 11 Claims. My present invention relates to the jewelry art 'and more particularly to a novel construction of snake chainand a novel-method and apparatus for making the same.

' The principaiobject of the present invention is to provide a novel apparatus and a novel method of assemblyfor producing a snake chain having a high degree of flexibility and great strength.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically and continuously making snake chain from sheet stock. A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for making snake chain which has a high degree of accuracy and which will withstand factory production without breakdown.

' Another object of the present invention is to provide a continuous method of manufacturing snake chain in commercial quantities and with a minimum of waste of stock and a minimum of wear on tools. i

With the above and other objects and advantageous features in view, my invention consists of a novel snake chain and a novel method and apparatus for manufacturing the same, more fully disclosed in the detailed description following, in

conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and more fully defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings: I

Fig- 1 isa front elevation of a snake chain machine embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the die bed on line 2 -2 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the die bed;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the blanking and piercing die on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a similar view of the dapping die on line 5-5 of Fig. 3; g g

Fig. 6 is a similar view of the inserting die on line 6+5 of Fig. 3, the block 49 having moved over to the left; I

Fig. 7 is a similar view of the cutting and drawing die on line 1-1 of Fig. 3;

F1 8 is a similar view of the assembly draw die n line 3-8 of Fig. 3;

" Fig. 9 is a section taken along line 9--9 on F18;

Figs. .10 and 11 are perspective views of the cam for operating the lower plunger of the cutting and drawing die;

Fig, 12 is a sectional view of the inserting die punchonline'I2-42 ofFig.1;'

' Fig. 13 is a sectionalview of the correspondin uuirEo sTA'r s 1 .'r1:1-rr oFncE MANUFACTURE OF ORNAMENTAL CHAIN I August .1. England, Providence, It. I., assignor to g 00., a corporation of die for the inserting die punch on line l3--l3 of Fig. 3; i

Fig. 14 is a view, partly in section, of the cutting and drawing die in a plane at right angles to Fig. 7 on line lA-Hl of Fig. 3;

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 8 on an enlarged scale completely in section;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged section of the punch for the assembly draw die on line l6|8 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the safety stop actuator on the blanking die partly in section as on line l'l-IT of Fig. 4;

Fig. 18 is a similar view of the actuator on the cutting and drawing die partly in section as on line I8l8 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 19 is the wiring diagram for the automatic safety stop;

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of one of the stock positioning devices the die plate having been removed;

Fig. 21 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation of the stop mechanism;

Fig. 22 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the stock after passing through the cutting andblanking die;

Fig. 24 is an enlarged perspective view of a crowfoot link;

Fig. 25 is a similar view of the pin Fig. 26 is a side view of the same;

Fig. 27 is a plan view of the stock after passing through the inserting die;

Fig. 28 is a section on line 2828 on Fig. 27;

Fig. 29 is a view of the links after passing through the part of the cutting and drawing die;

Fig. 30 is a side view of the same;

Fig. 31 is a view of the links after the drawing operating in the cutting and drawing die;

Fig. 32 is a side view of the same;

Fig. 33 is a view of the assembled links; and

Fig. 34 is a plan view of the completed chain after passing through the assembly draw die.

The method The manufacture of my novel snake chain is an automatic and continuous operation from a single source of supply of sheet stock; the chain being formed in the following manner:

Referring to Figs. 1 and 23 to 34 inclusive, a continuous length of thin sheet stock I 0 is fed into the machine II at a uniform predetermined rate of speed. The stock In first passes through the blanking and piercing die l2, which blanks out the crowfoot links l3, see Fig. 24 and forms the piercings I4 in the blank, see Fig. 23. Each link after dap crowfoot link l3 comprises a plurality (three illustrated) oi equidistant radially disposed arms having enlarged heads I! and narrow neck portions it integrally joined at the center H. The

' step.

In the second step the crowfoot carried by the machine to the dapping die 20. The die 20 bends the crowioot links i3 into the form shown in Figs. 25 and 26, the heads I! and necks I3 being bent upwardly and the center l'l remaining flat, to form a cup shape.

The third step carries the dapped crowfoot link into the inserting die 2|. The stock Ill, having emerged from the blanking and piercing die I2, is given a half-turn manually to position the burrs on the inside before it is fed into the inserting die 2|. The die 2i inserts the arms of the crowioot link I3 into the piercings H, see Figs. 27 and 28, the heads I! passing through the widest portions of the piercings. The link arms are pulled slightly inwardly, the necks l6 entering the narrower portion of the piercings I, so that the enlarged heads l prevent the links I3 from falling out. Simultaneously with the inserting operation, the arms l3 across the piercings are pushed inwardly as at 22 in Fig. 28, to provide the stock II with a substantially flat bottom and insure a smooth feed for the subsequent operations. This inward push also starts the bars l3 bending in the proper direction for the drawing operation.

For the iourth step, the stock l0, now carrying the crowfoot links l3 in the piercings ll, passes into a cutting and drawing die 23. This die first cuts out an annular disc 24, see Figs. 29 and 30, which includes the piercings i4 and link [3, and then draws the disc 2i into the form of a chain segment 23 as shown in Figs. 31 and 32. During the drawing operation, the'flat outer periphery of the disc 24 is turned upwardly at right angles and since thepressure is applied.

only at the extreme ends of the cross bars i3, the stock drags through the die and forms a wavy exterior, see Fig. 32, the low points being adjacent the bars I! where the pressure is applied and the high points being adiacent the piercings where the disc metal is unsupported. During this step, the bars I! are again pushed inwardly, carrying the crowfoot link 13 upwardly with it so that the head portions I 5 extend above the edge of the segment 23, see Fig. 32.

In the fifth and ilnal step, the segments 23 are passed through the assembly draw die 23 which joins the segments together and lock; them into the finished snake chain. As shown in Figs.-

33 and 34, the segments 23 are pushed one over the other so that the enlarged heads ll of each crowfoot link l3 passes upwardly through the piercings ll of the vertically adjacent segment links I3 are aaoacco through its own segment piercing, P t the bars I! in its own segment. and into the piercings of the vertically adjacent segment.

In this position, the nested segments are forced through the draw die 23 with the result illus trated in Figs. 33 and 34. The outer periphery of each segment is lessened, the surplus" stock crowding upwardly to increase the wavy curvature of the segment. This also reduces the diameter of the segment, and the cross arms I! are pushed further inwardly and upwardly, moving the crowfoot links I3 further into the vertically adjacent segment. Simultaneously, the enlarged heads ll of the crowfoot links l3 are crowded towards the center, see Fig. 34, due to the reduction of the diameter of the segment. Since the piercings it are of narrower width adjacent the center, the enlarged heads II of each link I3 will overlap the cross-bars IQ of the vertically adjacent segment and cannot withdraw therefrom. The reduced diameter therefore locks the crowfoot heads in position, which in turn lock the segments to each other, thuscompleting the chain.

The resultant chain will possess a great deal of flexibility and the links will not part. The locking action is positive and permanent, and only a force sufllcient to break the cross bars or crowfoot links will cause the chain to part. Furthermore, the hereinabove described method permits the assembly of the chain with a maximum of ease, a minimum waste of stock, and a high degree of accuracy. The parts are not rammed or forced together or otherwise distorted until the chain is finally locked together. The stamping of the blank and piercing from the same stock, and the insertion of the blank into the sheet stock before the cutting operation, permits more rapid' and accurate assembly without complicated-machinery and promotes ease of operation and adjustment.

person skilled in theart.

The apparatus opposite ends of the base, the arms 23 and 33 and around the outer surface of the crowfoot link carried by the adjacent segment. The wavy'edges of the segments causes them to alisnand nest in each other as shown in Fig. 33 forming an unbroken annular outer surface and alternate layers of crowfoot links [3 and cross bars 1! inside. Each crowioot link I3 theref re Qmndi being joined by a horizontal support plate 3!,

see Fig. 1, which carries the various plungers for the die punches. An operating shaft 32 is journalled in the upper ends of the arms 23 and 30; the shaft 32 being driven by a conventional pulley and belt arrangement 33 from one end, and being provided with a hand wheel 34 at its oppos'ite end. The shaft 31 carries the various cams .for-operating the dies hereinafter to be described.

The die bed 73 the top of the block 35. A block 33 is slidably Other advantages oi! the above methodwill be readily apparent to a mounted in the channel 39 to the left of the block 31 (Fig. 2) and is provided with a slot 38- in which spaced rollers 40 are mounted. 'A carrier plate 4| is bolted to the top of the'block 39, adjacent o'needge thereof. and extends'over the top of the block 31. The plate 4| is slidable beneath the dies l2 and and is provided with an opening 42 adapted to receive the crowfoot link blank 13 and align with die openings. A stop element 43 is bolted to the block at the end of the channel to limit the sliding movement of the block 38.

The block 38 is reciprocatedin the channel 38 by a rocker'arm 44 pivotally mounted on the plate 3|. The lower end of the rocker arm 44 is adjustable; as at 45, and extends between the rollers 40 in the block 38. The upperend of the rocker arm 44 is provided withv a roller 46 extending into a groove 41 in a cylindrical cam 48 mounted on the shaft 32.

Slidably mounted in the channel 36is a second block '49 to theright of the block 31, Fig. 2. The block 49 is provided with a vertical opening 50 ing a hinged stock retainer bar "a provided with a handle 15b. The upper die element 13 is provided with offset openings 16 and TI, the opening 16 being shaped to provide a blank for the crowfoot link It and the opening 11 being adapted to form. the piercings l4. To'insure accuracy of the various die operations regardless of any variations in'the width of the stock, the lower die element is provided with a loose plate 18 shown in Fig. 20 along the right edge thereof which is slidalble into the slot 15 and which is exposed through a cut-out 19 in the upper die element 13. Thus pressure on the plate 18 along the right edge will push the stocktowards the left edge of the slot 15 which acts as a guide. A spring pressed guide finger 94a, see Fig. 20, is provided 'to push the loose plate 'l8 against the stock in the slot 15; to thuscompensatefor-variations in the width of the stock and to'ensure pressing the stool; against the left edge of the slot.

The stock is fedlthrough the die element 73 and 'ltby'the arrangement shown in Figs. 3- and which aligns with the die 20 when the block 49 is at, its extreme left, and which aligns with the die 2! when the block 49 is at its extreme right. A plunger 5! is slidably mounted in the opening 50, as by the pin and slot arrangement 52, and I may be resiliently retained in its lower position by a pin and spring arrangement 53.

Reciprocation of, the plunger 5| is provided by an arm'54 pivotally mounted in a slot in the block 35, the lower end of the plunger 5! riding over one end of the arm'when the slide block 49 is at its extreme right. An operating plunger 55 extends vertically'through the block 35, its lower end resting on the other end of the arm 54.

Sliding movement of the block 49 is provided by a cam and rocker arm arrangement similar to that of the block 38. The block 49 is provided with a slot 5? in which rollers 58 are mounted. A rocker arm 59 is pivotally mounted on the sup port plate 36 with its lower adjustable end 60 extending between the rollers 58 and its upper end being provided with a roller 69 extending into the groove d2 of the cam 63.

A carrier plate E4 is fixed to the upper right edge of the block 49 and extends laterally therefrom. The plate 54 is provided with an opening adapted to align with the die 23 when the I block 49 is at its extreme left, and to align with the die 26 when the block 49 is at its extreme right. lMovement of the block 39 to the right is limited by a block 66 fixed on the channel 36 beneath the die 23, the plate 66 being slidable The various dies cooperating with the die bed hereinabove described may now be described as follows:

The blanking and piercing die The blanking and piercing die l2 comprises upper and lower die plates 13 and I4 which straddle the channel 36 of the die bed as shown in-Fig. 3. The lower die element 14 is provided with a slot 15 through which the sheet stock is fed through the die, the initial positioning of the sheet stock in the slot being facilitated by liftand parallel to the die plates l3 and 14.

4; Embed rods stare mounted in the block 35 and extend rearwardly below the level of the die plates. A slideblock M is slidable on the rods and is urged towards the block 35 by coil springs 82. A finger. '83 is pivotally mounted on the block-8i and is slidable in a slot 84 in the upper dieblock so that in its forward position the hooked end of the finger extends into the piercing in the stock left by the crowfoot link i3.

The block 80 is also provided with a roller 85 disposed beneath a cam 86 in the punch. Vertical movement of the cam 8b causes the block hi to slide rearwardly against the action of the spring 82 and causes the finger 83 to move the stock rearwardly through the die.

The die punch comprises a housing 87 slidably mounted around the support plate 3i, see Fig. 1. A plunger 8b is vertically reciprocable with the housing 87 and is provided with a c-shaped arrangement 89, see Fig. 9. Its upper end has upper and lower rollers bearing against the cam 9b which is keyed to the shaft 92. Turning movement of the cam 93 thus raises and lowers the plunger 88. The lower front face of the housing 87 is provided with an integral forwardly extending foot 9| to which the die punch is bolted. The blanking and .piercing die is provided with a punch 92 which is shaped to blank the crowfoot link it and enters the die opening 76, a punch 93 which is shaped to provide the piercings i l-and which enters the opening 77, and a false'punch 98 whose purpose will hereinafter be described. The die elements it and i4 and the die block 37 are provided with a vertical opening 95 through which the scrap stock from the piercings id drop through the machine.

The clapping die The clapping die 20 comprises a single die plate 96 which straddles the channel 36 spaced from The plate 96 is Iprovided with a transverse channel 97 through which the plated! is slidable, and a die opening 98 which tapers downwardly as shown in Fig. 5. The die punch 99 is conical in shape and is provided with a fiat end adapted topush into the center fiat portion ll of the crowfoot link l3. The punch 99 is operated by a plunger arrangement I similar to the arrangement for operating the die l2; reciprocation-of the die being provided by the cam l9! on The inserting die 2I comprises a die plate I02 which also straddles the channel 38 in spaced parallel relation to the dies I2 and 20. The die plate I02 is provided with a channel I03 through which the stock is pulled by the feed arrangement I04 at the rear of the die similar to the feed on the die I2. Inasmuch as the stock is turned before it enters the die N, the guide is now provided on the right side of the slot I03. The die plate I02 must therefore be provided with a loose plate I to the left of the slot I03 and bearing against the leit'edge of the stock. The die plate I02 is provided with a tapered opening l0i5 over the slot I93. The punch i0! comprises an integral portion E08 which is pro-=- vided with a hollow slightly inwardlytapered end adapted to fit over the upstanding arms of the crow'foot link I3, and a vertical adjustable rod adapted to contact the center I1 of the crowfoot link, see Fig. 12. The outer portion of the punch I08 is provided with an integral washer or annular ring I09 for supporting a coil spring Iill surrounding the punch. The plunger arrangement HI for operating the punch is also provided with a vertical pin II2 adapted to bearagainst the upper end of the rod 55 as shown in Fig. 2. The arrangement I H is similar to the hereinabove described arrangement for operating the dies I2 and 20 and'is controlled by a cam M3 on the shaft 32, the cams and H3 operating slim taneously so that the dies I2 and 2| operating in unison, and the cam IIII being oppositely disposed so that the die 20 operates alternately with the dies I2 and 2|. The guide plate I05 is operated by a downwardly extending finger II4 on the plunger arrangement III, and is adapted to move the plate inwardly at each downward movement of the plunger in a manner similar to the finger 940 on the plunger 38.

The punch I01 is so positioned that the stock will be-contacted and held in position before the plunger reaches the bottom of its stroke. Addi tional motion is taken up by the spring H0 and permits the pin 2 to contact and move the plunger 56.

The cutting and drawing die The cutting and drawing die'23 comprises spaced superimposed die plates H5 and H6 straddling the channel 36 above the block 66. The plates I I5 and I I6 are separated by a spaced element -'II1 iorming. a wide slot II8 extending aseaooo assembly I25. The die punch I21 comprises an outer cylindrical blanking plunger I28 fixed to the assembly I25. The draw punch M9 is slidable in the blanking punch I28 and extends up wardly into and is adjustably secured in the member I26, see Fig. 14. The lower end of the draw punch I29 is provided with a recess Hail to accommodate the upwardly extending arms of the crowi'oot link Ill.

The stock is fed through the die 23 by means of the assembly I3I identical with the feeding assembly on. dies I2 and 2i as shown in Fig. 3. Furthermore, the die plates are provided with a centering guide I32 operable by an arm tilt on the die punch and adapted to guide the stock through the die against the right edge of the slot H8.

The cam I124 is similar to the cam I23 except that it is provided with an additional bump or high-point I34 adjacent one edge and an inset or lower point I35 diagonally opposite and adjacent the opposite edge. With this construction, the plungers I2! and I22 will raise and lower simultaneously thus causing the cutting and drawing plungers I28 and I22 to raise and lower simultaneously. However, once at every revolution the plunger I22,,operating the draw punch 929 will be given an additional downward and upward motion synchronized to occur at the lower end of the stroke and just prior to the lifting of the plunger I2I.

The drawing die The drawing die 26 comprises a plunger lit similar to the operating plunger of the dies i2, 20, and 2I and operating from a cam I31 on the operating shaft. The die punch I38 comprises a hollow cylindrical body having a wavy bottom edge conforming to the edge of the links, and an inner adjustable plunger I30a. The punch I38 passes through a die plate I39 on the block 3'5. The die assembly I40 is removably locked in a recess I4I- extending into the front of the die bed or plate 35. It comprises a block I42 having a vertical opening I43 therethrough, which as shown in Fig. 15 is aligned with an element I43a having an opening I43b which is suillciently wide at its upper end to accommodate between the plate through which the stock and 'the crowfoot links are fed. A vertical die opening 9 extends throughthe plates IIS and H6 in alignment. with the opening 61 in' the block 05. .The cutting is done on the shoulders of the lower die element I13 and the drawing is done at the lower end of the opening IIS, as at I20,

where the passageway is restricted;

The die punch 23 is provided with two operating portions I2I and I22 each operable from a cam mounted'on the shaft 32, theportion I2I operating from a cam I23 and the portion I22 operating from a cam I24. The operating plunger-1H is provided with a punch-holding assembly I25 which extends forwardly and laterally towards the plunger I22, and the plunger I22 is provided with a laterally extending member I26having a verticalope'ning therethrough in alignment with the punch openings in the the chain links and the die punch, and it tapers inwardly to provide the drawing action of the die. Below the tapered portion are a pair of split die friction elements I44 adjustably urged towards each other by the spring I45 and screw I46 to frictionally retard the movement of the chain through the die.

Safety stop mechanism The hereinabove described assembly is also provided with a safety stop mechanism to'insure complete accuracy and prevent jamming. Re- Ierring to Figs. 1, 19, 21 and 22, the stop mechanism is mounted on the frame 30- adjacent the belt and pulley'drive 33. An arm I41 is transversely pivotally mounted on the side of the frame 30 at I41a and has a depending arm I48 which is adjustably fixed thereto. The arm I48 is provided with an idler pulley I49 at its lower end bearing against the drive-belt. The arm I48 is also provided with an integral forwardly extending handle I50. A spring I5I is attached to the frame 30 and the inner end of the arm I41 and is adapted to resiliently urge the arm I41, arm I48, and roller I49 away from the drive belt which is normally loose so that the machine will not operate unless the roller I48 is pushed forward end of the arm I68 extends.

inwardly against the belt to take up the slack.

"To hold the belt in operating position, the

bar I81 is provided with a laterally extending ratchet tooth I52 which is held in operating position by the latch hook I53, when the handle I58 is manually pushed downwardly. The latch hook I53 comprises a plate I54 which is pivotally mounted at the front of the frame 38, on a pivot pin I55. A spring I56, fixed to the plate and frame, is adapted to retain the frame in pivoted position to the right so that the. hook I58 engages the tooth I52. The upper edge of the plate I 54 is provided with a V-shaped outroller I58 on an arm I88 pivoted to the side of the frame.

A: bar IBI is reciprocatably mounted on the front of the frame 38 and carries a plate I 82. having an opening I63 through which the The en-' gagement of the cam I58, roller I58, and arm I68 causes downward movement of the bar IGI.

Upward movement of the bar is provided by a spring lflattached to the upper end of the bar.

The plate I62 is also provided along on edge with a hook portion I65.

A second 'bar I86 is mounted adjacent and parallel to the bar IGI by means of conventional pins and slots permitting vertical movement. A latch member I8? is pivoted'on the front of the bar and is adapted to swing into the path of movement of the hook portion I85. The bar I55 is also provided with a projecting pin I68 adapted to enter the cut-out I57 in the plate I54.

, An electro-magnet I88 is mounted on the frame 38 and is provided with a magnetically operable arm I18 having a resilient extension extending between pins I II in the latch member I67 and normally retains the latch member in pivoted position to the left out of the path of movement of the hook I85. The top of the bar I58 is provided with a laterally extending hook II2 so that upward movement of the bar IBI will raise the bar I58 after it has been lowered. One of the stock positioning devices is shown in Fig. 28, the die plate being omitted for clearness.

. The operation The operation of the described: I The stock I8 is fed into the blanking and piercing die I2 by inserting into the slot 75, Fig. 4. The handle I58 of the stop mechanism is pushed downwardly until the tooth I52 is caught by the hook I53, the arm M8 and roller I48 taking up theslack in the drive belt and causing turning movement of the pulley and of the shaft 32.

In the first cycle of operation, rotation of the cam 48 causes the upper end of the rocker arm 44 to swing to the right, Fig' 1, the lower end of the arm pulls the block 88 and carrier plate II to the left until the opening 32 in the plate is in vertical alignment with the die opening 76. Simultaneously, the cam 88 causes the housmachine may now be ing 81 and the punches 82 and 83 to descend.

The punch 83 forms the piercings I4, the surplus stock dropping out of the machine through the opening 85. The punch 82 blanks out the crowfoot link I 3 and pushes it intothe opening p 42 in the plate II.

The die I2 now lifts and the cam 48 causes the rocker arm 44 to pivot in the opposite direction. The block 38 slides to the right carrying the plate II under the die plate 88 and positioning the crowfoot links I3 beneath the die punch 88.

In the meanwhile, the springs 82 push the block 8| and finger 83 into the die I8, the finger 88 engaging the opening in the stock left by the crowfoot link. On the next stroke of the die I2, the cam 88 will move the block 8| and finger 83 rearwardly, thus pulling the stock through the die.

Simultaneously with the motion of the plate H to the right, the cam 63 and rocker arm 58 causes the block 48 to slide to the left, the plate 4| sliding over the block 48 until the openings 42 and 58 are in alignment. The cam I8I causes the casing I88 and punch 88 to descend, the link I8 being dapped as shown in Fig. 25 and being pushed into the block 48. Further movement of the cam 83 and rocker arm 58 pulls the block 88 to the right beneath the inserting die 2I. The stock- I8, which emerges fromthe rear of the die I2, is given a half turn by hand to position the burrs inwardly while passing it beneath the machine to the front and into the die 2I.

The cam II3 moves the housing II I and punch I88 downwardly; the pin IIZ pushing the plunger 58 and causing the lever arm 58 to push upwardly. This causes the plunger 5| to push the dapped crowfoot linkI3 upwardly out of the block 88 and into the piercings I8 in the stock; the punch I88 pulling the arms of the link I 8 inwardly, Fig. 27. Further downward movement, which is taken up by the spring II-8, causes the plunger 5i to give the link I8 an additional bump to form the depressed portion 22, Fig. 28.

The stock I8, carrying the linki3, is passed beneath the machine and into the slot II8 of the cutting and drawing .die 28. The cams I28 and I28; working in unison, cause the punch I 2? to descend, the outer portion I28 cutting the segment 24 from the stock.

The punch I28 continues through the die plate IIII. In the meanwhile, the block 88, carrying the plate 58 has been moved to the left by the rocker arm 58, bringing the plate opening 85 under the die 28. As the segment 28 reaches the restricted portion I28 of the die, downward motion of the punch I28 ceases. However, the cam I28 gives the inner punch I28 an additional downward push drawing the segment 28 into the form shown in Figs. 31 and 32. Simultaneously, plunger 88 is pushed upwardly against the arms I8 of the segment and causing the enlarged heads I5 of the crowfoot links I3 to move inwardly beyond the edge of the link 25.

The die 28 now raises and the rocker arm 58 moves the block 88 and plate 85 beneath the assembly draw die 26. The segment 28 is carried beneath the die punch I38, Fig. 15. The punch I38 pushes the segment through the draw die, positioning each segment over the previous one as in Fig. 33, the spring I45 and split die parts I88 retarding movement of the chain links. As each segment is pushed over the other and drawn, the enlarged heads I5 of the crowfoot links I3 are pushed upwardly into the next segment, around its crowfoot link, and beyond the arms I8. The drawing action of the die 28 cramps the or breaking the dies, the feed is provided with,

the safety stop mechanism hereinabove described. Referring to Figs. 4 and 17, the die I2 lowered position by a transverse spring pressed pin I13 having its inner end bearing against a shallow cut-out I14 in the punch 96. If the feed is inaccurate, the punch 94 will hit the stock III and be pushed upwardly, forcing the pin I13 outwardly against the action of its spring. The outer end of the pin hits a pivotedarm I15 which swings and closes an electric circuit, Fig. 19, the current passing through the machine and through the electromagnet its.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2i and 22, the mag-- net I69 pulls the arm I19 to the right, which causes the latch hook I61 to pivot to the right in the path of vertical reciprocation of the plate I62. The plate hook I65 engages the hook I61 and moves it and the bar I66 downwardly. This causes the pin I58 to enter the cut-out I51 and pivot the plate I54 to the left, releasing the latch I53 from the latch hook I52. The spring I5I pivots the arm I41 and moves the roller I49 away from the drive belt, easing the tension and stopping the machine. Since the cam I54 has four high points, the bar IBI will reciprocate 4 times for each revolution of the shaft 32. Thus, if the stop mechanism is set in motion, the machine willmake only one-fourth of a revolution before it is stopped.

The die 23 is also provided with n safety stop' mechanism which is tied into the same wirin circuit,'Fig. 19. A false punch I16, similar to the punch 94, is slidably mounted at the rear of the die and is adapted to operate a spring pressed pivoted lever I11 which engages a contact I18 and sets off the electric stop mechanism as hereinabove described.

The above described machine will manufacture a continuous length of snake chain with great speed, a high degree of accuracy, and a minimum of break-downs.

While I have described a specific machine and a specific method of assembly, it is obvious that changes may be made in the machine and method without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In the continuous manufacture of snake ing links having a plurality of arms from a me tallic strip-and simultaneously piercing a plu= rality of openings in the metallic strip, inserting each connecting link arm into a piercing, cutting the piercings and the connecting links from the strip, drawing the piercings into the form. oi

chain links, superimposing each chain link on the previously formed link, and inserting the arms of each link through the piercings oi: the next formed link, and again drawing the superimposed chain links to lock the connecting to the chain links.

4. In the continuous manufacture of snake chains, the steps of blanking successive connecting links from a metallic strip and simultaneously piercing the metallic strip, dapping each connecting link, inserting each connecting link into a piercing, cutting the piercings and the connecting links from the strip, drawing the piercings into the form of chain links, superimposing each chain link on the previously formed link and again drawing the superimposed chain to lock the connecting links to the chain 5. In a continuous manufacture of snake chains, the steps of blanking successive connecting links having a plurality of arms from a metallic strip and simultaneously piercing a plurality of openings in the metallic strip, dapping each connecting link, insertingeach connecting link arm into a piercing, cutting the piercings andthe connecting links from the strip, drawing the piercings into the formof chain links, superimposing each chain link on the previously formed link, and again drawing the superimposed chain links to lock the connecting links to the chain links.

6. In a continuous manufacture of snake chains, the steps of blanking successive connecting links. having a plurality of arms from a metallic strip and simultaneously piercing a plurality of openings in" the metallic. strip, clapping each connecting link, inserting each connecting chains, the steps of blanking successive connecting links from a metallic strip and simultaneously piercing the metallic strip, inserting each connecting link into a. piercing, cutting the piercings and the connecting links from the strip, drawing the .piercings into the form of chain links, superimposing each chain link on the previously formed link, and again drawing the superimposed chain links to lock the connectin links to the chain links.

2. In the continuous manufacture of snake chains, the steps of blanking successive connecting links having a plurality of arms from a me:

tallic strip and simultaneously piercingfa 'plurality of openings in the metallic strip, inserting each connecting link arm into a piercing, cutting the piercings and the connecting links from the strip, drawing the piercings into chain links, superimposing each chain link on the previously formed link, and again drawing the form of the superimposed chain links to lock the connecting links to the chain links.

3. In the continuous manufacture of snake chains, the steps of blanking successive connecting said link into :ting said connecting linkstrip and shaping the cut-out into a chain link,

link arm into a piercing, cutting the piercings and the connecting links from the strip, drawing the piercings into the form of chain links, superimposing each chain link.on the previously formed link and inserting the arms of each link through the piercings of the next formed link,

and again drawing the superimposed chain links to lockthe connecting links to the chain links. .7. A machine for the continuous manufacture of snake chain comprising means for blanking a connecting .link from a metallic strip and simultaneously piercing said strip, means for inserting said link into the piercing, means for cutting said"'connectin'g*link and piercing from said strip and shaping the cut-out into a chain link-and means for superimposing successive "chain links and locking the connecting links to the chainlinks to form a completed chain.

-8.- A'machine for the continuous manufacture of snake chain comprising means for blanking a connecting link ifronra metallic strip and simultaneously piercing said strip, means for clapping said connecting link, means for insertthe piercing, means for cutand-piem'ing from said and means for superimposing successive chain links and locking the connecting links to the chain links to form'a completed chain.

'9; A machine for the continuous manufacture of snake chain'comprising-a-frame, a blanking intend-piercing die, a dapping die, die,

a cutting and drawing die, and an assembly draw die on said frame, means for feeding a continuous strip of stock through said blanking and piercing die, means for transferring the blank to the dapping die, means for feeding the pierced strip through the inserting die, means for transferring the dapped blank to the inserting die, means for feeding the strip and blank through the cutting and drawing die for cutting linksfrom said strip, means for transferring the cut links to the assembly draw die, an operating shaft on said frame, and cams positioned on said shaft for operating said dies and said feed and transfer means in timed relation. 7

10. A machine for the continuous manufacture of snake chain comprising a frame, a blanking and piercing die, a dapping die, an inserting die, a cutting and drawing die, and an assembly draw die on said frame, means for feeding a continuous strip of stock through said blanking and piercing die, means for transferringthe blank to the clapping die, means for feedferring the cut links to the assembly draw die, an operating shaft on said frame, cams positioned on said shaft for operating said dies and said feed and transfer means in timed relation, and means for stopping the machine when the strip is fed into said machine out of timed relation with said dies.

11. A machine for the continuous manufacture of snake chain comprising a (frame, a blanking and piercing die, a dapping die, an inserting die, a cutting and drawing die, and an assembly draw die on said frame, means for feeding a continuous strip of stock through said blanking and piercing die, means for transferring the blank to the clapping die, means for feeding the pierced strip through the inserting die, means for transferring the clapped blank to the inserting die, means-for feeding the strip and blank through the cutting and drawing die for cutting links from said strip," means for transferring the. cut links to the assembly draw die, an operating shaft on said frame, cams positioned on ing the pierced strip through the inserting die, 1

means for transferring the dapped blank to the inserting die, means for feeding the strip and blank through the cutting and drawing die for cutting links from said strip, means for transsaid shaft for operating said dies and said feed and transfer means in timed relation, and electrically controlled means for stopping the machine when the strip is fed into said machine out of timed relation with said dies.

AUGUST J. ENGLAND. 

